A new assessment tool was introduced to Newman University freshmen in the fall 2016 semester. The assessment is called MyMajors. Traditions and Transitions — a class for freshman that helps transition them from high school into college life while introducing them to the traditions at Newman — used the online assessment MyMajors in order to help undecided students find a major that best suits their passion and stay on track to graduate in four years.
According to Fritz Grupe, Ph.D., the creator of MyMajors and professor emeritus of the University of Nevada, “MyMajors is designed to emulate a human academic advisor that recommends actual college majors.”
MyMajors.com lists statistics* that state 38 percent of starting freshman graduate in four years, 36 percent of undeclared students starting their junior year graduate in four years, and 50 percent change their major at least one time. With this program, Grupe hopes to change those statistics.
Director of Career Services and Cooperative Education Coordinator Melody Head introduced the assessment to the students. She explained that the program is not a personality assessment.
“It takes into account a student’s academic abilities and personal interests to create a plan to succeed in their degree program and on campus,” she said. “This one simple act of helping the student align with the right major can improve their chances to stay on track to graduate.”
At the beginning of the fall 2016 semester, there were 24 undecided students. Some students used the program to help them decide upon a major, so now only 14 of the 24 are undecided.
The assessment is not only for freshman. Any student who hasn’t decided upon a major, or who is considering switching majors, can use the program. The Admissions office is also using the program to help bring prospective students to Newman.
Academic and International Advisor Ami Larrea said, “It’s great to see students using the assessment to help them find a major that best suits their passion.”
For more information, contact Head at 316-942-4291, ext. 2234, or email her at [email protected].
* Statistics taken from National Center for Education Statistics, University of California Santa Cruz, Penn State University
